Conscious Elegance creates beautiful eco-gentle gowns using only organic and sustainable materials and methods, all made-to-measure and manufactured in the UK. We use only 100% certified organic cottons, vegetarian 'peace' silk, and pesticide-free silk & hemp blends in our dressmaking and offer vegan-friendly options.  Even our garment labels are sewn on certified organic cotton and our buttons are carved from sustainable nutshells, the sale of which supports rain forest preservation. Our suppliers are also pledged to responsible practice. Our packaging is fully biodegradable and our shipping is carbon neutral. We believe that ethical can be beautiful.

And the beauty doesn't end when the wedding is over. We offer a special service: we hand-create eco-friendly infant wear out of our clients' gowns for their future little ones at no extra charge. The garments are machine or hand washable, easy to care for and can be re-used for each child. It's a wonderful and sentimental way to recycle!  The fabric is organic and free of chemical treatments, which greatly benefits you and your baby -- a loving and meaningful way to make the most of your special gown.

We have a charity policy of donating 5% of our annual gross income to humanitarian and environmentally-supportive charities. We donate samples of our infant wear to auction to raise funds for Great North Air Ambulance (charity no. 1092204) and are active in giving talks to educate the local community on the value of environmental sustainability.

We are proud and tickled to have won Environmental Business of the Year for 2007: www.chroniclelive.co.uk

See our new Spring 2008 Line: www.consciouselegance.co.uk

The Duke of Cambridge, the first organic pub in the UK opened in December 1998 and is the first and only pub in the UK to achieve Soil Association certification. It is values driven and strives to have minimum environmental impact. It has received extremely high critical acclaim with enormous press coverage and many awards including, Evening Standard Pub Best Pub, Time Out Pub of the Year, Observer Magazine Best Sunday Lunch and Best Bar in the UK.

The delicious twice daily changing blackboard menu is 100% organic and regional European in style. The cooking is seasonal, with local ingredients and uncomplicated. We make all our own bread, pickles and ice cream! We encourage children to join in the dining out culture and provide smaller meals from the menu. The carefully researched 60-strong wine list is 100% organic and there is a wonderful range of organic draught beers, champagnes, spirits and soft drinks.

The Duke of Cambridge was originally built in 1851. It has been carefully restored retaining plenty of original features. The re-design involved the use of reclaimed or sustainably sourced building materials and all of the furniture is recycled.

Ethics form an integral part of the philosophy; the company respects the environment not using recycling and reusing wherever possible, purchasing from small independent businesses. We operate a fish purchasing policy approved by MCS. Our electricity is green and we never use airfreight.

The Duke of Cambridge has hosted many weddings and is available to hire for the entire day or just the restaurant for lunch or dinner (max 160).

Chef will design a 3-course menu with you, a choice of 3 dishes per course, which your guests will order on the day. We can provide a homemade organic wedding cake, and local organic and wild flowers.

www.sloeberry.co.uk

Charlie Artingstoll, who is 15 runs a business called Timbertags in Kent.

'My principle product, as my company name suggests is timber- tags.  They are used primarily to supply to weddings as place names and to gardens as plant markers (I have brought a printing machine so that I can personalise the text) and I have also started doing business compliment labels, with text like ‘thank you’ on them.

I try to focus as much as possible on my 3 main selling points, the sustainability of my product, the personalisation and the quality. All of which I believe I am very much ahead of my game in, especially the eco weddings aspect which I have found to be a new and developing market. This helps the company to sell more.

All my wood is recycled from local joiners, saving it from being burnt and therefore wasted, and because of my ‘eco-ness’ I won an award at the Kent eco business awards last month. I currently receive about 5-10 orders a month, just the right amount for someone who is in secondary education.

I don’t really have a set price for tags, as each order is bespoke to the user. The tags start from 50p each, but your average wedding tag costs between 75p- £1.35.  Tags are made from a variety of recycled sources, ranging from flooring to old furniture.'

These tags are great at weddings as they not only look great, but they can also be taken away after the event, making them the perfect eco wedding favour/keepsake.

Charlie donates a maximum of £25 of orders over £50 to the Kent wildlife trust, and recycles wood from the local environment. He also has plans to install solar panels to power his tools come the summer.

www.timbertags.com

The Real Petal Confetti Company

Flower petal confetti is beautiful, elegant and it biodegrades as naturally as blossom. It’s the perfect choice for couples looking for an eco friendly wedding.   

On a late spring afternoon some ten years ago Charles Hudson paused outside the local churchyard on his way home. Strewn around the lych-gate lay the aftermath of an earlier wedding - tiny wet pieces of coloured paper, sodden and mucky, had turned the church entrance into an eyesore. On arriving home, some petals fell from the flower bouquet Charles was carrying for his wife, and the idea of Real Flower Petal Confetti was born.

After experimenting with many flowers, delphiniums were chosen for their ability to retain their shape and colour when dried by a delicate natural process that Charles evolved; using just sunshine and fresh air. Charles Hudson's Wyke Manor estate is now the British centre for real flower confetti. The demand for new colours has been so great that Wildflowers, Natural Rose petals and a myriad of Coloured Rose petals, for those with more adventurous colour themes, have been added to the collection. Handmade paper confetti cones, baskets, horseshoes and beautiful favour bags are all available to add those finishing touches.

Your order will be hand picked and packed and we offer a bespoke sample service that aims to help you find your perfect petals. Our Real Flower Petal Confetti has been used at the weddings of celebrities and Royalty, chosen for it's unique beauty and kindness to the environment.

Congratulations on your forthcoming wedding and we hope our petals will make your confetti moment come true!

www.confettidirect.co.uk or call 01386 555045 for information and a brochure

Are you looking for a hotel or B&B for your honeymoon that serves organic food? Do you like to have organic food available in your holiday cottage?

Organic Places to Stay gives you all the information you need for an ‘organic holiday’. It includes:

• small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, offering organic, local and sometimes home-grown produce
•self-catering accommodation on organic farms, many Soil Association certified, where you can often buy the farm’s produce or order local organic produce
• camp sites on organic farms

The majority of places use at least 50 per cent organic produce over the year; many offer a much higher percentage. Quite a few of them grow their own produce; some use wild or natural foods, and most will aim to use local produce, rather than imported food.

Reflecting their own passion for organic and locally sourced food, several hosts in Organic Places to Stay have written books on these subjects. Others have been nominated Organic Food Heroes by the Soil Association for their inspiring stories about being organic farmers. Four of the winners of the Taste of the West Awards 2007 feature in the book, two having received a gold award in the bed and breakfast category for promoting local food and drink on their menus, and twelve of the most recent Organic Food Awards went to  people with entries in this book. The Organic Trophy, the highest accolade at the Organic Food Awards, was awarded to a couple who offer several accommodation options on their organic farm.

The author, Linda Moss has spent many years putting these places together in order to make it easier for people to source an 'organic' place to stay. 'Although more and more people are using the internet to source holiday accommodation, I know from running the website that often they want to have a hard copy of the information as well, which is why I compiled the book Organic Places to Stay in the UK'.

To find out details on worldwide organic places to stay, and how to buy the book visit www.organicholidays.com

Ethicalsuperstore is a one-stop online shop for ethical gifts, eco-friendly gadgets, and fair trade and organic groceries. From organic wine to Fairtrade coffee, from vegetarian food to cosmetics free from animal cruelty, Ethicalsuperstore.com features a vast range that helps you to “buy what you believe”.

The delicious fairtrade and organic wines have been carefully selected from around the world for their environmental and socially responsible credentials, putting people and the planet first. For wine lovers, connoisseur and eco warriors alike, there's something for everyone. What better than to serve ethical, organic, fair trade wine at your wedding....

There's 'The Wines of the World Selection' which includes wines from several different countries, and also includes a good selection of Certified Organic wines. A great variety of both fairtrade and organic wines, to soothe even the most tormented consciousness to

The excellent Albet I Noya estate has long had a reputation in Spain for superb wines, and their latest addition, this wonderful Cava, is no different. Cava Can Vendrell from Albet I Noya is wonderfully fresh and organic with striking green apple and lemon notes. Truly sublime! The wine is ideal with oysters, with a seafood platter or even trout or salmon pan fried in butter with a touch of seasoning.

There are cases of white wine, cases of red wine, mixed cases and organic & fairtrade cases - plus you can make some great savings for your family on your favourite ethical brands. Buy in bulk from Ethical Superstore and save up to 30% while using less packaging.

For more go to:

www.ethicalsuperstore.com

My name is Rachel Watkyn and I run two completely ethical companies - the Tiny Box Company which deals solely in Recycled Packaging and Tiny Difference which is my ‘fair trade’ jewellery company.

As you are reading this in allthingseco’s eco weddings special I would like to tell you what I have for you from both companies. Tiny Difference has some stunning silver jewellery especially the ‘Kautmi’ Ring (‘caught me’ – get it?). I designed it especially with love in mind, for a couple who are taking their relationship further but not getting engaged just yet! Perfect for bridesmaids are the Tiny Difference bra straps… in white and guaranteed to really set off the outfit.

The Tiny Difference collection is a range of contemporary, UK designed pieces that are made in ‘fair trade’ conditions. We use three workshops in Africa and one in Thailand. 20% of the profits from Tiny Difference will go back into the poor areas to help them develop and eventually become self sustainable.

If you are looking to package your Wedding ‘Favours’ then the Tiny Box Company is the place to go. We are the only supplier in the UK that solely deals in recycled packaging, that’s gift boxes and bags. We have a huge selection of colours and sizes waiting for you… And we have no minimum order. Anyway have a lovely special day. Rachel.

www.tinydifference.com www.tinyboxcompany.co.uk

Green Weddings at Penrhos

Penrhos is an old manor farm buried in the half-tamed border country between Herefordshire and Wales. It is the perfect setting for a green wedding.

Seasonal, organic food is at the heart of Penrhos. Wedding banquets are prepared in the award-winning kitchen by chef/nutritionist Daphne Lambert and each menu is individually created during the consultation. Foods that are connected with passion, love and marriage are a strong inspiration - in spring, the first green shoots of asparagus and the yellow primrose flower, in summer, red roses, strawberries and sweet ripe peaches, in mellow autumn the season brings figs, honey and the richness of saffron and in winter, warming spices of ginger, cardamom and nutmeg.

For your wedding celebrations you will have the exclusive use of the whole of Penrhos. This includes the Elizabethan room, Medieval Cruck Hall, Courtyard, Byre and 15 bedrooms and 2 apartments.

Penrhos also holds a civil ceremony licence so the entire wedding can take place at Penrhos. Your wedding becomes a house party for your family and friends with preparations the day before, the ceremony, photographs, drinks, the banquet then a party in the evening and breakfast the next morning.

For more info visit www.penrhos.co.uk

The Organic Apothecary

Would you like to find a range of organic & natural beauty products to use on your big day?

Love Lula brings together a hand picked collection of some of the world’s finest and purest natural beauty & organic products, including skincare, bath products, makeup, and haircare, made by experts equally passionate about natural and organic ingredients. They've chosen products not only for their quality but also their effectiveness and beauty.

You won't find any products in their organic apothecary that contain parabens, artificial colours or fragrance, sodium lauryl sulphate or propylene glycol. And they only stock products made by companies that do not test their products or ingredients on animals, nor pay third parties to do animal testing for them.

There's also a range of aromatherapy oils and products, skin supplements for before the big day, organic grooming for men, plus luxury gifts that your bridesmaids or mothers will adore!

www.lovelula.com

Eco-FriendlyWeddings.co.uk

Susan and Allan, co-founders of Eco-FriendlyWeddings, offer a free online information and directory service and can assist you in finding greener alternatives for your wedding, without
compromising on style or quality.

Image courtesy of www.virginia-sharp.co.uk

Almost everything for weddings and other special events can be greener and ethical - whilst retaining all the luxury and sophistication that couples wish for on their wedding day.

Why Consider Eco-Friendly Options For Your Wedding?

Cost: It is a misconception that eco-friendly options always cost more than standard wedding supplies. Some may even be cheaper.
Quality: Eco-friendly businesses source their materials and products from less intensive and better managed sources, usually resulting in higher quality supplies.
Choice: There is a vast number of businesses now offering eco-friendly and ethical options; everything you need for a wedding can be ethically sourced so you don’t need to compromise on your big day.

Feel Good Factor: You can enjoy your special day, guilt free, knowing that you have had a positive effect on the environment and with Fair Trade you will have benefited people in developing countries for many years to come.

Find out how you can make a difference, visit:

www.eco-friendlyweddings.co.uk

Lily-Peds is based in Exeter and offers its customers a green alternative for transportation.

With only one bike at present they specialize in Green Wedding Transport and their package travels throughout the South West.

Lily-Peds wedding package is charged at a set rate of £220. This price includes the hire of the bike for the event, fully dressed in fitted upholstery and flowers. A rider, flank rider and champagne is also included, as well as the journey (at five miles and under, with hill margins). Any additional mileage is worked out accordingly and added to the sum.

The flowers Lily-Peds use are purchased from local Exeter florist, Jenniflower. Two bunches are chosen to fit with the colour scheme of the wedding and are the happy couple's to take away at the end of the day. We hand-paint the backboard of the rickshaw in non-solvent 'green' paints and trail the bike with fabric, so your transportation is ultra stylish and elegant on your special day. Lily-peds also use raffia ties and rose petal confetti, and ensure all the decorations we use are either biodegradable or will be reused. The champagne is of the finest quality and supplied by local wine merchant's Execellars.

The Lily-Peds wedding service can travel throughout the South-West. They offset the carbon emissions when travelling and are always looking into cleaner ways of transporting the rickshaw.

For more info visit:

www.lily-peds.co.uk

Karen Foster creates beautiful bespoke wedding flowers in the Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire areas that follow environmentally friendly guidelines. To coin a phrase: "Beautiful Flowers Don't Have to Cost the Earth"!

UK produced flowers, foliage and plants that don't spend days travelling, so they're fresher, they don't incur air miles, and support the local economy. - are used where there is an option. Fair Trade flowers are also available. The flowers are superb quality and give much needed financial and ethical support to producers in developing countries. Organically grown flowers are a rarity in the UK, most are available from Dutch growers but air miles are not incurred due to the use of road freight.

To reduce the packaging waste burden, the fresh flower arrangements are created in containers which are biodegradable and can be safely composted. For wrapping & protecting beautiful bouquets, natural materials are used such as hessian, paper, cornstarch film, cotton, jute, raffia.

Karen is also working with other industries to try and encourage the production of plastic floristry pots made from recycled materials.

'I prefer to work with local suppliers wherever possible and research whether they trade ethically in terms of fair trade, workers rights, and environmental issues.'

karenfosterflowersandgardens.co.uk

The Natural Collection is a Eco Department Store offering you the widest range of ethical, fair trade, eco friendly products for you, your home and now they have a Gift Lists service that can be used for special occasions.

The Gift List service enables you to add the products you want to your own personalisted Gift List for whatever occasion - Birthdays, Christmas and Weddings.

Having a gift list means more of what you need and would like, and less unwanted gifts and waste.

All you need to do is simply register to create an account page, click on create a Wedding List, browse the site and choise the gifts you would like to receive, and when you list is ready send the info to those that need to know. People will then be able to purchase items from your list and you will be then be notifed by whom & when a gift is bought.

From home accessories and kitchen products, to garden and outdoor living, plus fashion, eco gadgets, books, bodycare and much more, you'll be a able to create a comprehensive Wedding List filled with ethical, fair trade, eco friendly products - and there will be plenty for your friends and family to choose from!

To find out more and see the range of products available visit:

www.naturalcollection.com

Organic Buffet has been operating for the last 4 years and is registered to the foodservice and organic catering code of practice of the Soil Association. Our aim is to provide good quality food at corporate and private events, weddings.

“Great food starts with great ingredients. Not expensive, or complicated just wholesome, tasty and fresh. Over the years I have discovered some real local talents producing organic and non-organic food. The sort of authentic food I grew up with back in Lyon” says Vincent of Organic Buffet.

"The start of our organic hog roast and organic spit roast along with our great buffet food has been a real success at weddings over the last Summer and judging at bookings coming in it should be even better in 2008. It is possible to provide a wide spread of good quality food at an affordable and reasonable level."

Organic buffet offer a friendly and professional service. Planning, attention to details and a great deal of discussion with the clients will make the wedding a very special and successful day.

In June 2007, one happy couple wrote: "We wanted to thank you and your team again for such a great wedding buffet, and for being so helpful and nice to plan it with. Lots of our guests have commented on how tasty the food was, how friendly and helpful you were, and how much they appreciated the food being organic and carefully sourced. Everybody enjoyed it. It was exactly what we hoped for our wedding and we will recommend you to anybody organising a party. We both found it reassuring how you got behind the spirit of the event and made sure it was how we wanted it.

For more details and menus visit: www.organicbuffet.co.uk

Natural Wedding Company

The environmentally friendly Natural Wedding Company makes handmade wedding stationery and favours using natural products. Each one created on a base of recycled card or rag paper and embellished with natural textures.

Invitations are complemented by a complete stationery range of co--ordinating guest books, table plans, place cards and favour bags and boxes. Any order can be tailor made, to match your wedding colours or theme.

The range of natural favours includes candle holders, handmade soaps, bathbombs, lip balms and salt dough hangers. All made using natural ingredients in a variety of colours and scents. Presented in decorated rag paper bags or recycled card boxes.

To keep the children occupied during the speeches, the Children's Activity Packs are filled with non-toxic and non-messy activities.

These include coloured pencils, jigsaws, wordsearches, and gifts to decorate. They come in decorated and personalised brown card boxes, brown paper bags or rag paper bags. Each is custom made to suit the age and gender of the child.

naturalweddingcompany.co.uk